Ripple in still water

Hi friends,

Several years ago, Warren and I lived in Los Angeles, CA. It was during our coming-of-age years - the years right after college when we were dating, and then newly married, establishing our careers, and finding our way in the world.

Since we were both raised in the church, we began to search for a faith community soon after we arrived. As destiny would have it, we stumbled upon the most wonderful church - a church that provided us with an incredibly safe space to begin exploring, questioning, and discovering our own unique beliefs and viewpoints.

The church we attended was in Burbank, CA - and, despite the fact that it had roots in the Christian faith, it had evolved to be a true interfaith community. It attracted people from all faith traditions - as well as people with no faith tradition.

Among us were Buddhists, Atheists, Christians, Agnostics, and Muslims. Some leaned conservative, some leaned liberal - but regardless, there was an infinite amount of mutual respect, empathy, and love.

The best part was that no one had any desire to change anyone else. Despite the fact that there were differences in how we believed or thought about things, we were able to coexist in a way that respected the chosen path, autonomy, and humanity of our fellow church-goer.

We were very involved in the church. Warren, because of his incredible singing voice, organized and led the music. (P.S.: For a sneak peak of Warren's musical talent, watch him own a karaoke bar with a Boyz II Men rendition a few years back).

I recall that Warren and our minister, Steve, would often have conversations about how to select music that would represent the diversity of beliefs across the congregation.

We'd sing some old hymns, some newer melodies, but often the best songs were found outside of any sort of organized religion. Instead, they were songs that simply spoke to the desire for greater peace, justice, and love.

One of my favorites that we would sing was called Ripple, by The Grateful Dead. Do you know it?

The song is about the experience of seeing a ripple in still water. It's a song about the interconnectedness of all things. It's about cause and effect, the cyclical nature of life, and the idea that our actions have ripple effects on the world around us, even when we don't see it.

I still love the song and listen to it often. In more recent years, it's taken on new meaning for me. Now, when I hear it, it prompts me to reflect on what it's like to be a therapist.

I recognize I'm biased, but I gotta say the therapists I know are the best of humans. They have devoted their lives to walking with others during the most painful seasons. They listen and they lean in. They bravely ask the hard questions and they accept and honor all answers.

The therapists I've had over the years have changed my life. Their wisdom still rings in my ears. Their insights still guide me. The ripple effect of their care and compassion is still with me, even long after our work has concluded.

Friends, I hope you know that your work has a subtle and profound impact on the lives of others. As the sun begins to set on 2023, perhaps it's a good time to pause, reflect, and remind yourself of the importance of your work as a therapist. Truly, I can think of no other profession that has the honor of caring for other human lives on such a deep, emotional, life-changing level.

I am so grateful for you - for the things you do that are seen and celebrated by others, but even more so for the tiny, daily acts that no one other than your clients ever see. Certainly, these are the ripples in the water that lead to healing, health, and renewal.

One quick note - I'll be taking a two-week break from Mondays with Motivo to stare at my Christmas tree and pray that Warren got me stuff from Anthropologie. I hope the next few weeks brings you whatever your heart and soul might need, and I look so forward to being back here with you in 2024.